The surreal feeling when you achieve a goal

My first 'Be At Your Best' program on 27&28 Aug 2016

Last weekend was a milestone achievement of a goal I set 8 years ago. Well, it started as a whisper, more of an idea after I went for Asiaworks’ Basic awareness program in 2008. It was a mere idea that I wanted to be an awareness trainer, that would make my life more meaningful …. but it was only a passing idea.

It kept coming back at random moments but with no significant impact. Then I continued with Asiaworks’ Leadership Program … and LP 139’s vision was to create a 'Loving & Caring World, One Person at a Time. This time the idea turned into a goal … but I had no idea how I was even going to start.

I’ve set and achieved goals before. But this was different. This was out of norm. On hindsight I was beginning to follow my heart. The goal was not logical, even random and I had no clue where to start. You see, I was a successful Finance Director who had financial success with a happy, comfy lifestyle. Why throw it out for something so random? …. Oh and where to start?

But I set a goal … started thinking how do I do this? Then nature offered a stepping stone. The company I was working for was acquired by an American MNC and they offered me … me … a Regional HR Manager’s job … mmm… a stepping stone … and I took it up with no experience nor knowledge of professional HR. Oh boy it was a fun yet steep learning curve. Step 1 : People skills acquired.

Then 2 years later the heart came knocking again … leave, move … but where?  So I quit my job intending to setup a coaching company, again a vague idea with no real clue. After some discussion, the VP counter offered and I moved into a Organization Development role for Asia Pacific. Here was my first experience conducting in-house training in a fun and effective manner. Then I discovered the term 'Culture Shaping' … changing the culture of the organisation by bringing individuals back to the basics of being human. Step 2: training skills and culture shaping idea.

Fun and impactful practical session in the Be At Your Best program

Then again the heart comes .. leave, move … much stronger this time … and I quit my high paying corporate job for an idea of a culture shaping company. Then all hell broke loose and I was lost for 2 months …floating in limbo ... until a friend dragged me into a goal setting workshop on 29^th July 2013. That day I met my mentor Elango Thiyagu and since then it has been a roller-coaster ride of discovering myself and what culture shaping actually meant.

In the past three years I’ve talked to hundreds of people, feeding my subconscious mind. Learned marketing from ground zero ; from meeting officers to CEOs. Meanwhile, getting aligned to the laws of nature, reprogramming myself to my new goals, learning how to manage my emotions and thoughts. Doing one day programs then rebranding and introducing the Be At Your Best program to help people live happier lives, setting and achieving personal and company goals while growing personally. My personal growth has been phenomenal and I’ve reached a different level of happiness.

'Be At Your Best' Day 1 on 27 Aug 2016

Last weekend was a milestone achievement because I arrived at my goal. I did a 2 days awareness program successfully. It made me reflect on how when you listen to your heart and set your mind to it, the whole of nature guides and helps you. On hindsight, nature guided step by step in getting the skills. Then I met my mentor, who passed on the program to me, a program much better than I have ever experienced and could have ever conceived … for free … he guided me step by step, building both myself and the program along the way. I feel blessed! To top that I have an awesome support team, volunteering their time and effort for free  ...  giving their best! Again I feel blessed!

Dinner with my awesome support team after the Be At Your Best Program

There is a long exciting way to go but I have arrived at a destination I set 8 years ago. Milestone achievement!

Nero was playing the fiddle when Rome was burning down

Nero fiddling while Rome burns

According to a well-known expression, Rome’s emperor at the time, Nero “fiddled while Rome burned.” The expression means Nero was busy playing music oblivious to the fact that his empire was in trouble and collapsing and his people suffering. Many would think how stupid of him!! The sad irony is I see people all around me doing this now.  

I speak to many people about the program I do … Be At Your Best …  how it widens their awareness which results in changes from within … they become happier, healthier and live their dream doing what they love having the time and money freedom … they find the bigger purpose of their existence and get aligned to nature’s plan for them. Their relationships improve … especially with their children. They understand their children better, understand their purpose here and their role in supporting their children. They become the intended role model for their child and built a truthful lasting relationship while being successful and guiding their children to success. I am living this so I know it is possible. When I share this to others, for the brief 10 minutes they are in my world … beautiful and living their dream.

When the program 'Be At Your Best'

knocks on your door, that's the right time!

Then I hang up and they resume their mundane life … the brief moment of bliss and awareness gone. Back to running around busy like a headless chicken but with no actual results. Busy at work, from one meeting to another, feeling very important but not achieving anything really important. Meanwhile, their emotions are pent up, bursting here and there, reacting to situations and people without being aware that they are doing it. In the process they destroy their health, the relationships around them and their own peace of mind. But yet they continue …. complaining yet they continue .. when I offer them solutions or ask them to join the program or the free talks we have they will counter with all kind of excuses … busy, need to work, sending my child to tuition, cousin’s wedding etc etc … it's as if they are doing it for me! It’s like peace of mind, happiness, health, success, time and money freedom is a nice notion … nice to have but not possible for them  … not their priority at the moment either.

Why are they like Nero? You see, while they are busy accumulating wealth for their family they are indeed neglecting their family. The pent up emotions, outburst and growing negativity is programed into their children. The wrong words and tone used, thinking that you are disciplining the child may in fact box him up and make him an obedient follower. This same parent, years later wonders why the child has no leadership qualities not aware that the parent has indeed programmed the child to be a follower. This is just one minute example of the many things we say and do that our child absorbs and learn from.

Then comes the relationship with the spouse and other family members … not being truthful, slowly but surely turns the sweetness to finding fault … creating a rift …  creating unspoken boundaries until the couple no longer have much in common … not to mention conversations … once the cracks start it is only a matter of time before the dam collapses.

Back to the workplace, being a very important and diligent employee, working late, chasing promotions, bonuses and increment … then getting disappointed, chasing deadlines and more deadlines, feeling so important in their role, so very involved in the events and politics of the company they work in that they forget a world outside that exist. Sacrificing time, family, health, happiness and growth only to find out years later that they have not come much far after all.  Most can’t manage their finances well so they just tie themselves up further into debts making sure they need to continue in the rat race. Happiness, health, family and dreams sacrificed. Not to mention a whole human existence wasted without spiritual growth … not religious practices but learning about yourself, connecting to your heart and listening to your heart, experiencing joy!

Over the years I have watched many of my participants initially excited with the possibilities for them but prioritising the daily seemingly pressing issues of life over long term happiness and success. They want success but not willing to change their current habit patterns, not investing time and effort only soon to give up on the notion of the success and returning to life as usual. Life as usual which is spiraling downwards but they are not aware.

Overused ... but what does it really mean?

I can see what is in store for them as they continue their path … that’s the curse of growing awareness. I was once in ignorant bliss too so I understand that from their level of awareness that they can’t see outside the bowl.

People are like fishes caught in their world

Oh yes … and there are others who know that they need help and ask God for help … I know this because they must have attracted my call and experience have showed me that the program finds people at the right time… but I don’t match their idea of how the help should be or whom it comes from so they can’t see the help offered and decline it saying they will talk to me when they are okay again. The point they forget is, if all is well then they don’t need me or the program.

At times it frustrates me and makes me feel maybe I should have tried harder. My biggest learning now is that I am not here to save the world … and I can’t save them all. I’m here only to work with people who are willing to change, grow and make happiness and success an absolute priority… I do my best but I am not doing any of this for them … I am doing it because my heart wants to … because I grow everyday in leaps and bounds as I learn to follow my heart.

As much as the world out there is lost in darkness, there is a small group of people round me …. which is fast growing in awareness and momentum …seeing them grow spiritually and materially …  attracting more people to their cause …. well, that gives me hope.

ET Ideas - a group of people focused on their personal and material growth.